Caring Times
Premiere Edition
News & Information For We Care Customers
Repair or Replace? How To... Reduce Allergens or Particulates in Your Home
When is it Time to Throw in the A/C Towel?
What to Expect When YouCall We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar
Your home is making your family sick! Did you know your home’s indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air? It’s true. Household cleaners, allergens, bacteria, mold, germs, and many other common household pollutants are creating a sickening environment for your family to live in, and, because We Care, we urge you to clean your home’s indoor air quality with Lennox’ Healthy Climate Solutions.
Lennox’ Healthy Climate Solutions Make Indoor Air Quality…
Cleaner
Healthier
Smarter
Enjoy cleaner air in every room–
Clean air is healthy air, and Lennox’
Lennox’ indoor air quality
and every breath–thanks to
air filtration technologies remove
products are the smart solution for
Lennox’ industry-leading air
the pollutants from your home that
preserving the quality of the air in
purification technologies.
cause your family to become sick.
your home. And it’s a smart solution for your utility bills.
We Care To Go the Extra Mile! WeCareTeam.com
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In this Issue 20 26
14 18 President’s Message
There’s A History Behind We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air & Solar How to Reduce Allergens or Particulates in Your Home Duct-Free Air Conditioners Offer Multiple Benefits
Why Your A/C Needs a Check-Up Love the water in your home What to Expect When You Call We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar
Total Performance showroom Furnace Safety
Protect What You Love with Proper Maintenance on Your Furnace
Is Your A/C Acting Up?
Should You Repair or Replace it?
Harness the Sun... Get Solar!
Understanding Warranties Care Club Features and Advantages Plumbing checklist and HVAC checklist
Service Agreements
Teddy Talks Hello, I’m Teddy Bare, the We Care Community Ambassador, and a recent addition to the We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air and Solar team! I may be fury, fluffy and fun to hold, but I’m also full of insight and up to the minute information on the latest and greatest news here at We Care. Rusty Cochran, he’s the guy to my right on the next page… Rusty is the President and Founder of We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air and Solar. While he’s telling you a little bit about our Company, I’m here to introduce our Magazine, "Caring Times". This is our premier issue of "Caring Times", a magazine full of the latest information on technologies designed to make your home more comfortable, energy efficient and easy on the environment. All this information is right at your fingertips, as each page is designed to give you insight on the products and services we offer, providing you total home performance. Make sure to read about the History of We Care on pages 6 & 7, to learn how Rusty and his wife Stephanie started with modest beginnings, and then grew their company into a household name in Southern California. Our new magazine is stuffed full of information, like how to reduce allergens in your home, why your Air Conditioner needs to get a check-up regularly, and what to expect when you call us at We Care. Caring Times is here to help educate you about Furnace safety, to know when your A/C is acting up, and how to harness the sun with the benefits of adding Solar to your home. Read about why it’s important to understand the warranties on all of your homes plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and solar equipment. Make sure to review our We Care Club features and benefits to help understand why choosing a service agreement will help give you peace of mind! I look forward to seeing you out and about in Southern California, or stop in and see me when you visit our Total Home Performance Showroom. The Showroom of all Showrooms allows current and future customers the opportunity to pick from many different options and see We Care products in action. I look forward to sharing more with you later.
Teddy Bare
Fondly, Community Ambassador
© 2017 DeWayne Thomas publishing Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Although some parts of this publication may be reproduced and reprinted, we require that prior permission be obtained in writing. Caring Times is a free publication designed by DeWayne Thomas Publishing Company, Inc. and distributed locally by We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air and Solar. If you would like copies placed at your business please call our offices at 888-800-4619. Produced in whole or in part by DeWayne Thomas publishing Inc., 4305 62nd Street East, Bradenton Florida. 34208 We do not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the articles and or advertisements, nor are we responsible in any way for the products and services advertised or promoted within these pages. For information on this or other printed publications produced by DeWayne Thomas publishing, Inc. Please contact info@customdm.com
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A Message from our RPres usident ty
Cochran
Rusty Cochran
It is hard to imagine and comprehend that I started We Care almost 20 years ago. It is equally difficult to fathom that we now have a huge fleet of service trucks and installers on the road every day with hundreds of loyal and hard-working employees. I am humbled when I think about this and very grateful for the success We Care has enjoyed. In large part, we owe our phenomenal growth to our loyal customers who trust us to come into their homes and businesses to provide great service. And of course We Care's Number One asset is our amazing team of men and women who truly Care To Go the Extra Mile! It is only because of your choice to use We Care that we keep the lights on. For that, I send a most heartfelt thank you. I also know that this company would never be where it is today without our employees. We have some truly talented people here at We Care that I’m grateful to work alongside. Because of their dedication, We Care has won dozens of awards for service. In fact, we have won eight National Dealer of the Year Awards, which is discussed on page 7 of the magazine. We Care is known for fast, reliable plumbing, heating, air and solar services at a fair price.
This premiere issue of Caring Times is our way of connecting with you, the customer, by providing a free publication, packed with tips and educational articles to help you get the most out of your service call. Additionally, this issue will provide details about the history of We Care and alert you to charitable organizations in the community that we support along with our employees. We hope you enjoy the magazine and I welcome any feedback you may have regarding its usefulness and quality. As we approach 20 years of being in business, my only wish is that we can serve your needs better each and every day as we continue to move forward. We welcome the opportunity to continue meeting your needs for plumbing, heating, air and solar services for many years to come.
Rusty Cochran President of We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar
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y r o t a ’s e r s e h T Hi behind
We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar
I
n high school we all wonder what path to choose, whose footsteps to follow. Things were no different in Fallbrook, CA. where Rusty Cochran grew up. During summer breaks, instead of vacationing and hanging out with friends, Rusty worked with his father, who was employed in the heating, air conditioning and plumbing industry. His father began training Rusty to install A/C units and teaching him about the business. During the 1990’s, new home construction was booming, providing Rusty plenty of on-the-job training. Following high school graduation, Rusty decided that the HVAC industry offered a great career opportunity. He began working full-time at the same company with his dad while attending a technical school for refrigeration, heating and air conditioning. As an installer he flourished, advancing to Lead Installer. At 25, Rusty was an invaluable employee, being promoted to General Superintendent. He was the youngest person in the crew in the largest HVAC company in Southern California. In 2000, Rusty made the decision to open his own company with the help of his wife Stephanie. Getting started was the hardest part with Rusty handling all the sales and service calls plus maintenance. “It was only me working on the outside and Stephanie handling the inside tasks.”
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During the first 18 months, things began to happen and it was an exciting time for both of them. "We hired our first full-time employee - he is still with us today, and the business continued to grow". In 2000, It wasn't long before We Care made the decision to modify their business model to include the installation of new HVAC systems into newly constructed custom homes, as well as doing a small amount of replacement work. They were not doing any service work at this time unless it was warranty service. The years were kind to them and the company actually enjoyed success following the Great Recession of 2008. Today, We Care proudly employs about 200 team members with 100 company vehicles on the road every day. Recently, Rusty’s two son's have joined the We Care team, training with their father just as Rusty did with his father, a number of years ago. Looking back, their success also prompted expansion of the physical facilities. They started in a 900 square foot mobile home with a metal building serving as a warehouse and grew into a double wide mobile home. Their first building contained 13,000 square feet and served them well for a few years until Rusty purchased the building they now occupy. Almost immediately he had plans for more expansion, growing their footprint to more than 30,000 square feet! The new plans included a Total Home Performance showroom where customers are invited to see the large array of equipment available to them, a larger warehouse, and a second floor with more office space.
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With the recent success, growth and expansion that We Care has experienced, they purchased a new location (10,000 square feet) to serve as a satellite operation in the city of Orange. This location will duplicate the services and products that are available in their Murrieta corporate offices. With their physical facilities in place, the company focused on marketing and branding the company throughout its service area: Riverside, San Bernadino, Orange and San Diego counties. When asked why the company selected a 1950’s look and design, Rusty replied, “It’s a friendly atmosphere, that old-time country feel. Good old-fashioned service is what we’re shooting for like Customer Service used to be.” “Right from the very beginning, from the initial phone call, we want to create a pleasant experience for the customer. We want to provide 5-star service. We want the customer to be completely satisfied when we finish a job.” A major product enhancement occurred in 2013 when the company added plumbing services. This expansion provides a complimentary service to air conditioning, as the company becomes a "one-stop" company for the consumer. When We Care added solar in 2015, one-stop shopping took on another added dimension. When asked about the future of the business and his workforce, Rusty replied “People are an asset and we invest in them. We manage it by respecting them and their families and providing a good living for them. We want to give them a great atmosphere to work in. It’s the culture and our people, that’s what makes it. Without them, we’re nothing, and I truly believe that.” A major component of their employee training are retreats like “Driven for Life”, which is available to every employee. Leadership and communication classes are part of the curriculum. The
objective of the program is to challenge each individual to grow physically, mentally and emotionally. Team-building is another major objective. Creating a strong sense of “team” has always been a focus throughout the years. Several group events are scheduled each year where the entire staff comes together, often times with their families, helping to build that all important bond that encourages unity within our company. For example, each September towards the end of the baseball season, all the families attend an Angels Baseball Game, with food, beverages and lots of door prizes. In the past the team has also attended Charger football games, gone bowling, and tried their hand at go-cart racing! By creating a positive company culture, We Care achieves their goal of keeping employees happy …and the team enjoys coming to work. This probably explains their extraordinary employee retention rate. It wouldn’t be fair not to mention at least a few major accolades that We Care has received over the years: Nationally, The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) – Contractor of the Year! Service Nation - Contractor of the Year, and Southern California Edison – also, Contractor of the Year! And for the past eight years, Lennox Heating and Air has awarded We Care The Dave Lennox award, which is the highest dealer honor presented by Lennox, signifying that the recipient is one of the top 25 dealers in North America. The company obviously has a bright future ahead that could include expanding into other out-of-state locations such as Las Vegas and Arizona.
! d e n u T Stay 888-800-4619 I CARING TIMES
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How To...
Reduce Allergens or Particulates in Your Home
CAREAire Air Purification
A
ccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the quality of indoor air can be 2 to 5 times (and even up to 100 times) more polluted than the worst outside air, which is why they’ve ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental dangers. Poor air quality can cause a host of health problems, such as coughing, sneezing, eye irritation/itching, fatigue, dizziness, headaches and migraines, as well as congestion in the sinuses and chest. It can also exacerbate allergies and preexisting respiratory conditions, including dyspnea (difficult or painful breathing), rhinitis (inflammation of the nose, runny nose), epistaxis (nose bleeds), pharyngitis (sore throat), lung disease and asthma or worsening asthma. Most if not all of these issues can be controlled or even eliminated by significantly improving the quality of the air in your home. So what can you do to improve your indoor air quality? The answer is a lot and We Care is here to help. 8
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We Care’s CAREAire uses a unique new indoor air quality (IAQ) process to naturally produce airborne scrubbers that actively seek out and destroy indoor pollutants in the air everywhere in your home, even on surfaces. CAREAire brings a revolutionary approach to IAQ in that it utilizes Ionic Oxidation, a NASA-developed technology that produces an active cloud of positively and negatively charged air scrubbers that sweep through your home attracting contaminants like a magnet and then eliminating them. With CAREAire, pollutants are safely and effectively destroyed even if they have not passed directly through the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system in your home. Most indoor air purification systems are effective in reducing airborne contaminants. The CAREAire takes the next step in whole house air purification and is proven effective in reducing contaminants on surfaces as well. Charged CAREAire ionic scrubbers attract pollutants like a magnet. Even in areas of your home that have reduced air flow, air scrubbers are still able to seek out and eliminate contaminants.
air quality is a big part of that. Why clean those ducts? Dirty vents cause dust and pollen to circulate in your home. if left untreated, dust thickens and conditions get worse. Respiratory illnesses can be exacerbated by dirty ducts and if being a problem for your health wasn’t bad enough, consider that dust, dirt and mildew in your ducts may be causing a third of your HVAC energy to be wasted. We Care duct cleaning services, which include air duct cleaning and sealing and dryer vent cleaning, identify problem areas, and if needed, we’ll offer a solution to improve your home’s IAQ.
Air Filtration
If someone in your family suffers with allergies, keeping HVAC air filters clean is extremely important. Clean filters will improve air-flow in your home and preventative maintenance will increase your system’s energy efficiency. The bottom line is that good air filtration is paramount to an HVAC system limiting strain on the system, which means you’ll save money. So breathe easier, and call We Care.
Humidity Control
Controlling humidity in your home can help change the quality of your life. It’s that simple. When the humidity is too high, or conversely too low, all kinds of problems may arise: moisture means mold and dust-mites especially in older homes constructed from wood and high humidity can mean rotting. In a home that is too humid, or too dry, some people may suffer from skin irritation and itchiness.
Smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOC‘s) and odors are some of the toughest indoor pollutants to remove. The special oxidizing powers of the ionic air scrubbers break down these contaminants at their molecular level, throughout the entire home. CAREAire gets rid of bad air, contaminants, pollutants and toxins and eliminates odors from pets, cooking, cigarette smoke, dust, pollen, mold, and odor-causing bacteria. CAREAire does more than clean the air you breathe. It helps to protect your expensive HVAC investment by extending the life of your system by trapping damaging dirt, dust and debris in the filter, extending the life of the coils and blower that keep your system running effectively. A protected HVAC system can last up to 15 years at peak efficiency. We Care also provides ultraviolet (UV) light purification systems, a purification method that is at once extremely effective at killing viruses and bacteria and eradicating bad air. And a UV light purification system operates at a relatively low cost.
Duct Cleaning and Sealing
We Care cares greatly about your quality of life and your indoor
We Care’s philosophy is that a whole-home dehumidification system improves quality of life because the range of comfort is much greater than with a portable unit. Whole-home humidity control can help alleviate allergies, reduce severity of dry skin and itchiness, ease the pain or discomfort of dry eyes and nasal passages, plus, it can keep dust and dust-mites at bay.
Zone Control Systems
It’s important for many homeowners that they are able to control the air comfort levels in individual rooms throughout their home. As they say, some like it a little hotter than others. Zone control heating and cooling can not only make everyone happy and comfortable, but can significantly reduce energy consumption. We Care’s track record and reputation for purification system sales and installation is second to none. We hold ourselves to a very high standard of care and truly believe that our team is the top-of-the-line when it comes to the installation of whole-home air purification systems.
Please call We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Solar at 888-800-4619 today and we’ll help you breathe easier tonight. 888-800-4619 I CARING TIMES
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Duct-Free Air D Conditioners OFFER MULTIPLE BENEFITS
uctless mini-split or duct-free system HVAC units can be a useful alternative to cool and heat homes and businesses. Through a variety of sizes and capabilities of controlling the air temperature in individual zones or rooms in the building, they offer both economic and environmental advantages. Companies like We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar are installing them in multi-family housing, renovations of older single-family homes, as well as businesses’ server rooms, waiting rooms and office spaces. They also have a money and energy savings advantage when some areas of an office space are used infrequently or not at all (such as a build-out waiting for occupancy), by only conditioning the space that is occupied. Duct-free systems, as the name implies, have no duct work and consist of an outdoor condenser and an indoor air-handling unit. These are linked together with tubing that houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, and a drain tube for condensation. In many ways, they operate in a manner quite similar to a standard air conditioning system.
More than three decades ago, Mitsubishi Electric launched its North American HVAC division bringing ductless systems to the U.S. Within seven years, it had begun its campaign to enlist quality dealers and by 2009, it introduced its Star Lineup, many are EnergyStar rated and qualify for federal tax credits. Just two years later, its split-ductless systems won the Top 10 Product Award from Building Green. For decades now, Mitsubishi Electric US, Inc. Cooling & Heating Division’s advanced climate control systems have provided personalized comfort while conserving energy and promoting environmental sustainability. Mitsubishi Electric is proud to be the third largest manufacturer of cooling and heating systems in the world. But its goal is to be first globally in providing “comfort without compromise.” 10 CARING TIMES I WECARETEAM.COM
Rusty Cochran, President of We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar, noted that the main advantages of duct-free systems are ease of installation, cost savings, energy savings and flexibility in locating the system for cosmetic concerns and sound control as well as logistical applications. Rusty also highlighted the fact that his company is recognized as a Mitsubishi Electric Diamond Contractor. “The benefits are often overlooked by customers, but we like to point out that duct-free systems can be installed in places where conventional ducted systems simply can’t go. Options for interior design include ceiling and wall mounted units, drop ceiling applications and even a picture gallery unit that allows the owner to customize the look of the space,” he said. “Floor-standing models are also available. Most indoor units have profiles of about eight to eleven inches deep and have a range of aesthetically refined designs suitable for any home or office. All models offer a remote control to easily make adjustments to the system’s air flow pattern or temperature and on and off when it’s positioned high on a wall or suspended from a ceiling.” Mitsubishi Electric Duct-free systems can also help to keep your home safer because there is only a small hole for the tubing to
pass through the wall. Window-mounted and through-the-wall room air-conditioners, unfortunately, can provide an easy entrance for intruders. “For many of our customers, the unique advantages of this type of system are important. Our installers are highly trained, they attend hands-on training as well as up-to-date factory training and testing,” Rusty continued. “I would caution against using a company whose technicians are not proficient in this type of installation, as each unit must be correctly sized and placed. An error here could result in wasted energy, improper temperature or humidity control, and greater long-term operational expenses.” Rusty encourages home and business owners replacing existing systems, building new homes and structures, or remodeling, to consider duct-free systems. “The cost savings can be significant in terms of installation and energy use without compromising the comfort level of the rooms or occupants. Our professional technicians are continuously trained to help customers determine the best options for cooling and heating your home or business.”
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Why Your A/C
Y
our air conditioner is one of the hardest working appliances in your home, and it deserves some love and special attention. At least once a year, it’s important to give your A/C system a full inspection and tune-up, to assure that it’s running smoothly when you need it most. If you live in a warm climate, chances are your air conditioner runs constantly for most of the year. During that time, filters will become dirty, coils can become caked with dust, blockages may develop, and system leaks may become worse. Any number of issues may develop in your system while it’s actively working overtime to cool your home. Conversely, your system may also develop problems while it’s dormant during the winter months. Servicing your unit allows any potential concerns to be spotted early, before they become worse. If your air conditioning system has a small problem that you allow to spiral downward, a major repair could be in your future. The cost of an A/C repair – or worse, a full system replacement – is almost certainly going to be more expensive than a maintenance appointment.
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Look at it this way:
If your car needs an oil change and you neglect to take care of it, you could end up blowing the engine. Your air conditioner works much in the same way; you have to maintain it regularly, or you risk causing serious damage that could end up costing you a small fortune. The longevity and health of your system is only part of the reason why regular upkeep is a great idea. Annual maintenance assures that your system is working as efficiently as possible, using only the amount of energy it needs to get the job done. In short, keeping your system clean and tuned-up improves energy efficiency, and will likely save you money on energy bills. For older systems, this annual maintenance is even more important, and not just because it’s at increased risk for breaking down. Older systems are less energy-efficient and, combined with the rising cost of power, saving money while using them can be a real hassle. By paying for a relatively inexpensive service call once or twice a year, you’re almost assuredly going to get that money back in terms of what you’ll save. A service call keeps all systems
C Needs a
Check-Up
running at an optimal level, and for older systems it may be what prevents a major malfunction. Regular maintenance has an upfront cost, but neglecting to do it could be far more expensive. In the end, a large repair bill is going to cost you far more, and the savings you’ll reap on energy bills are worth the cost of an appointment. Remember, no machine is designed to work forever. Your A/C system needs to be taken care of properly, and doing so could expand its lifespan well beyond the years the manufacturer ever intended. Call We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar to talk about annual maintenace plans or to schedule a check-up, and be sure to check out Page 28 for detailed information about our maintenance plans! 888-800-4619 WeCareTeam.com
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Water Filtration & Purification
Love The Water in Your Home by Ellyn Santiago
W
e Care installs outstanding whole-home water filtration systems including Halo Water Solutions and Flow Tech Home water filtration. Sounds awesome but you may be asking, ‘Why do I need to filter my water?’ Among the other concerns about water, hard water is perhaps the one that is most visible. In Southern California and in our area in particular, the water is hard, and in many cases, very hard. So what does that mean? Simply stated, hard water is defined by the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium found in it. The high mineral count is formed as water permeates through ground deposits of chalk and limestone, both of which are almost entirely composed of magnesium and calcium carbonates. You know the water is ‘hard,’ when after washing your hands, for example, there’s a residue left behind; soap often reacts with the calcium and forms, for lack of a more delicate word, scum. soap and hard water don’t mix well, especially water that’s warm or hot. Because heated water, like the water in a dishwasher, water heater or washing machine creates calcium carbonate solids.
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Calcium carbonate deposits from heated water can make bathing, cleaning dishes and laundry unpleasant: In a shower or bath hard water can cause an unsightly and uncomfortable scum. When using your dishwasher hard water is very noticeable since there’s often white spots or film on your dishes. Hard water build-up can clog coffeemakers and ruin pots and pans. When doing laundry, hard water may be responsible for graying white or light colored fabrics, but it also can roughen fine fabrics and wear the fibers of cloth out quicker than softer water. Hard water is costing you money. In a water heater coils, backs of toilets, and plumbing pipes, hard water leaves solid calcium carbonate deposits, that can lead to build-up over time resulting in damage and likely costly repairs and replacement costs. Swimming pools do not escape the wrath of hard water, either. The water will appear milky. In addition to hard water, there are any number of impurities – suspended solids, contaminants, pathogens, bad tastes and odors, found in some water that should be filtered for harmful chemicals. What great filtration systems don’t do is filter our healthy minerals, like reverse osmosis does.
There’s a fix for softening, conditioning and filtering your water and We Care has it.
Flow-Tech Home
The Flow-Tech Home Anti-Scale System is a maintenance-free, eco-friendly, and cost efficient water treatment device that controls lime scale build-up and removes pre-existing lime scale. Using technology derived from years of research and development from a team of chemical engineers and scientists, Flow-Tech Systems has created the most advanced chemical-free water treatment system available today. The Flow-Tech Home system has a unique induction method that treats all of the water in your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system induces a low frequency signal that is pulsed several thousand times per second and propagated throughout your entire plumbing system. This electromagnetic signal reverses the charge on the minerals that are dissolved in the water. Called the ultimate water softener alternative, it saves money, does not use salt or chemicals, protects appliances and fixtures, removes existing scale build-up, increases energy efficiency, requires no maintenance, nor a drain and doesn’t waste water and saves space. This system is environmentally friendly, healthy and comes with a three-year warranty.
HALO Water Solutions
If you are concerned about chlorine or bio-contaminants in your water, if you buy bottled water instead of drinking directly from the tap, if you’re concerned about hard water scale and corrosion and if you want a water solution that conserves, reduces pollution and improves energy efficiency, then Halo Water Solutions is your best bet. A HALO filtration and conditioning water solution addresses all of those concerns and more. The HALO ION in-line water conditioner for hard water comes with a 25-year warranty. The HALO Pure which reduces contaminants; or the HALO 5 Integrated Whole House Filtration and Conditioning system. The HALO 5 is our most popular system, it is maintenance-free and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. The water filtration systems that we offer at We Care are excellent, and our installation staff is friendly and helpful. Our track record and reputation for whole-home water filtration is second to none. We Care’s philosophy is that installation service ought to be done in a manner that showcases respect for the homeowner’s property, best interest and time. At We Care, we hold ourselves to a very a high standard of care and truly believe that our skilled team is the top-of-the-line for water filter installation. We thank you for your consideration and look forward to earning your business.
What To Expect When You Call We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar
“It's a great day at We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air and Solar. How may I direct your call?”
“I need maintenance/service on my home” (Service and Maintence Customers receive priority scheduling)
We will verify name, address, make of unit, and schedule appointment.
When You Call for a Service Diagnosis is made, pricing, time frame and detailed service report regarding the condition of your unit is reviewed with you. Where possible, work is performed at time of assessment.
Tech gets dispatched to your home
(Reduced diagnostic charge for Service and Maintenance Customers)
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“We would like a free estimate on installation of a new air conditioner�
When You Call for a Replace
Comfort advisor assesses needs and performs air quality survey to provide you with a good, better and best offer. Schedule installation date.
Equipment is registered and warrantied with manufacturer.
Unit is installed
(We pride ourselves on a quality service and install.)
Final inspection is passed
CALL US
TODAY! 888-800-4619
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Our
Showroom!
Just some of the things you will see at our Total Home Performance Showroom.
At lar It i an to ma pro ing
“O Ru “It ma mo is t Ou pe div ing for
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At We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Solar we know that making a large investment requires some thought, research and due diligence. It is for that reason that we have dedicated a significant amount of time and resources to help educate our customers about all things related to their home’s performance. We have created our Total Home Performance Showroom where you will be able to see the latest and greatest products from various manufacturers, and “kick the tires” before making a decision. “One- Stop Shopping took on another added positive dimension” says Rusty Cochran, owner of We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air and Solar. “It was obvious to me that a world class showroom was needed, after many months in the design and planning stages, and several more months of construction, the results far exceeded my expectations”. This is the largest most inclusive showroom of its kind in Southern California. Our Total Home Performance Showroom houses the most advanced performance products on the market today. Our offerings include every division in our company, from Solar, Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing, Water Purification and more. We want our customers to feel comfortable with their purchase before they buy. Having a chance to see a
product in action will help you make an informed decision – and it’s fun! Giving our customers this opportunity to visit our Total Home Performance Showroom sets us even further apart from other companies. Our Total Home Performance Showroom allows current and future customers the opportunity to pick from many different options. Designing a complete package of high performance energy saving equipment that complements each other when remodeling or upgrading. We make it simpler so homeowners can touch and test the equipment that they are purchasing. Take a moment to check out just a few of the home performance items that you will be able to see when you come by for a visit. When we say Total Home Performance, we mean it. We showcase products from the most reputable and reliable manufacturers available, improving household efficiencies like heating, cooling, solar energy, water filtration, efficient water heating, whole house/attic fans, replacement windows, and even artificial turf to reduce your environmental impact as well as your water bill.
Schedule a Tour of Our Total Home Performance Showroom. by calling us at 888-800-4619 today! 888-800-4619 I CARING TIMES 19
: y t e f a S : e y c t e a f a n S r FFuurnace e v o l u o y t a h Protect w e c a n e t n i a m with properrace on your fun
We Care About Furnace Safety
T
he Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) knows a thing or two about furnace safety and has some important tips on how to make sure your furnace is clean and operating efficiently, dirty poorly operating furnaces can produce toxic and potentially fatal amounts of carbon monoxide (CO2). While most new gas furnaces have safety shut-off features, older furnace may not. Generally, in gas furnaces, small amounts of deadly CO2 is produced but is vented outside your home. In the case of a sooty and inefficiently-burning furnace, it can produce odorless, colorless and virtually undetectable and deadly carbon. Symptoms of CO2 poisoning include headache, nausea, fatigue, body aches, shortness of breath and confusion. According to the Centers for Disease Control, from 2010 to 2015, there were 2,244 accidental carbon monoxide deaths. Of these, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the majority were non-fire related CO2 poisonings associated with consumer products like faulty fuel-burning appliances, such as
furnaces and other fuel-burning appliances. Make sure to have carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home and make sure if they are battery operated, change the batteries regularly. But simply put, the most important way to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning from your furnace is to have it cleaned, inspected, and if necessary, repaired annually by a NATE-certified technician like the pros at We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Solar. Make sure to schedule this inspection and cleaning before the start of the heating season. The technicians at We Care will do a thorough safety inspection. Generally, homeowners can do a lot to ensure their family’s safety including keeping the area around your furnace clean and unobstructed with no combustibles anywhere near it. Most importantly, do not close off more than 20 percent of the registers in your house, which the AHRI says “can cause high resistance and unnecessary heat build-up in the furnace.” Also, keep those registers clean by regularly vacuuming out debris.
Get the Facts on A better, safer fur n 20 CARING TIMES I WECARETEAM.COM
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Regular furnace maintenance is more than just a safety precaution though. Most furnace manufacturers will only honor their warranty if an annual tune-up is performed. Regular maintenance will not only save you money in the long run, but a finely-tuned furnace less likely to need emergency repair. We Care has great maintenance plan options that satisfy HVAC-system warranties.
We Care About Furnace Functioning Curious about how your furnace works? Well, maybe not about every nut and bolt and its function, but it behooves homeowners to have a rudimentary understanding of how it operates. A furnace has a pilot light or electronic ignition, that lights the burner inside a combustion chamber, which generates heat in the furnace heat exchanger, which is basically a metal chamber around which moving air flows. When the air is warmed, it’s pushed into the hot-air chamber and then into the room of your house through ductwork. At We Care, our business is your furnace. We Care provides furnace maintenance, tune-ups, repair and replacement. We Care’s furnace repair service is comprehensive and we will complete the task quickly. Our skilled staff members are friendly and helpful. We Care will have your furnace running again in no time. We Care’s NATE certified technicians appreciate your property and respect your time. A furnace tune-up is more than a suggestion; most manufacturers require an annual tune-up to keep its warranty safe. We Care’s furnace maintenance plan satisfies the requirements of HVAC system warranties and ensures your furnace is running efficiently and safely. Properly maintained furnaces run better and longer. But a furnace doesn’t last forever. In fact, if your furnace is more than 15 years old, it may be time to replace it with a more efficient model. Plus, installing a new furnace has a number of benefits including increased energy efficiency, incentives, rebates and your overall home comfort. According to the California Center for Sustainable Energy, when deciding on your new furnace, the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) is the “number to compare.” For example, your current furnace might have an AFUE of 0.80, which means it is 80% energy efficient and 20% of the energy it uses goes to waste.
Your home comfort may be greatly improved with technological advances in furnaces including variable-speed operation and zoning systems.
Now, ENERGY STAR-labeled furnaces have an AFUE of 0.90 or even higher. So not only do newer furnaces use energy more efficiently, the furnaces at 90% have “sealed combustion chambers and pose fewer safety problems related to carbon monoxide and flame rollout.”
The county and state offer rebates to encourage new furnace purchases and installations. And ENERGY STAR products are eligible for tax credits, and are independently certified to save energy, save money, and protect the environment.
ENERGY STAR -certified gas furnaces in the southern half of the U.S., including SoCal, have a ‘U.S. South’ ENERGY STAR logo and are, according to Energy.gov, up to 12 percent more efficient than standard models and saving an average of $36 in energy costs per year. An ENERGY STAR qualified furnace is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace, according to Energy.gov.
A new furnace is perfect for individuals that own their home and would like to save money on utility costs. We Care actively works to satisfy our customers, employees, and the state. We are qualified to perform furnace replacement to earn every rebate available to you, even when our competitors cannot.
r nace Year Round and get protected. 888-800-4619 I CARING TIMES 21
REPAIR?
Replace?
Is Your A/C Acting Up?
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he air conditioning unit outside of your home works hard day in and day out to keep your family cool. Just like every other bit of technology in your life, your air conditioner accumulates wear and tear every day from casual use.
There is a good chance that installing a new air conditioning system will end up costing you less in the long run. You can decide whether you are going to repair your current unit or replace it. Here are some tips to help you figure out what the future of your air conditioner is.
Cost Difference Between A/C Repair and A/C Replacement
The first thing that you are going to want to look into is what the difference in cost is between having your current A/C repaired or having a brand new one installed. If the cost of fixing your expensive home appliance is close to your quote for a new installation, the replacement option is a better choice. 22 CARING TIMES I WECARETEAM.COM
Age is Often the Determinant
On the other hand, with a newer air conditioner that requires just a simple fix that is low in cost, you will find it more beneficial to just keep what you have and complete the small repair. When it comes to an older air conditioner though, the improvement on energy efficiency alone can quickly offset the price paid for a new system. Keep this in mind when trying to choose between an A/C repair or an A/C replacement.
The General Rule of Air Conditioner Efficiency
The rule of thumb for trying to decide, based on the age. If the system is around two years old, there is a good chance repairs will be beneficial. An air conditioner’s lifespan is around eight to fifteen years. If yours is around that age, replacement is what you are looking for. When it comes to air conditioners that are about four years old, it is possible for the decision to go either way.
Get Rid of Faulty Systems
Energy Star Efficiency
Rely on Newer Technology
You can expect outstanding customer service that will exceed your expectations when you choose We Care Plumbing Heating Air & Solar. We will send our highly qualified technician to your home to inspect the issues you are having with your air conditioning unit.
If your air conditioner has done nothing but give you problems since it was installed, it could save you future headaches by just junking your constantly failing air conditioning unit. This will save you more hassle than you know. Having a system that is reliable and efficient that includes yearly scheduled maintenance visits will prove an amazing choice that will eep your unit functioning for years. The biggest advantage of a new A/C unit is the strong probability the new model is energy-efficient. It is not likely that the monthly savings on your utility bill will show the savings in the first month, but In the course of a few years, that air conditioning unit can successfully pay for itself and begin to make you money.
When choosing a new air conditioning unit, look for the seal from Energy Star. This model meets or exceeds guidelines that the Environmental Protection Agency sets for energy efficiency. This can all get confusing if you are not sure what it means.
Take OUR Repair vs Replace Quiz Is it Time to Repair or Replace Your Faulty HVAC Unit?
1. Age of your unit? a. 1-7 b. 8+ 2. How much have you spent on your unit the past year? a. Under $600 b. Over $600 3. Are your energy bills increasing each month? a. Yes b. No 4. Is your HVAC system maintained regularly? a. Yes b. No 5. Does your home have humidity problems? a. Yes b. No 6. Are some rooms in your home often too cold or to hot? a. Yes b. No 7. Is your HVAC unit unusually noisy? a. Yes b. No 8. Does your home have excessive dust? a. Yes b. No
SCORES!
0-2 Points – REPAIR
Based on information you provided, your HVAC system should be repaired! In order to fix your unit, please reach out to our team of experts. Remember, regular maintenance for your HVAC system is required to keep your unit running properly. Use these tips to prevent future problems: don’t skip routine maintenance, make service calls when there is an unusual problem, keep your coils and filters clean, and keep the outdoor unit free of debris.
3-5 Points – CALL A TECHNICIAN
We recommend having a technician come out to further inspect your unit! In order to give you the most accurate advice, please reach out to our team of experts to schedule an appointment.
6-8 Points – REPLACE YOUR A/C
Based on the information you provided, your HVAC system should be replaced! In order to determine the best new unit for your home, please reach out to our team of experts to request a FREE installation quote. Did you know that if your unit is more than eight years old, it could be using twice the amount of energy that a new one would?
KEY: 1. a-0, b-1 2. a-0,b-1 3. a-1, b-0 4. a-0, b-1 5. a-1, b-0 6. a-1, b-0 7. a-1, b-0 8. a-1, b-0
TIP: New units can have up to a 25 SEER efficiency rating, reducing monthly costs significantly. TIP: An oversized unit’s constant cycling leads to poor humidity control and premature failure. TIP: Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics or basements and distribute them throughout your house causing an increase in household dust. 888-800-4619 I CARING TIMES 23
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Water Heater
101
When Is It Time To Repair VS Replace?
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ontrary to what some say, “I’ve had my water heater forever. It still runs like a champ,” they do not live forever. Their lifespan depends on the quality of the appliance and the water running through it. A little homework now can save you lots of headaches later, when the inevitable happens. They’ve all got to go sometime.
CONVENTIONAL WATER HEATER MAINTENANCE
As with any piece of equipment or appliance that works day in and day out, a maintenance plan can help avoid problems. Prolong the life of your conventional water heater and keep it running efficiently with these tips: → Getting rid of collected sediment can help keep the unit running efficiently and prevent corrosion. Drain the water heater twice a year to keep it healthy. 24 CARING TIMES I WECARETEAM.COM
→ Have a professional check relief valve operation. Call today for a Water Heater Maintenance → Maintain the temperature setting on the thermostat at 120 degrees, reducing damage to the tank caused by overheating. If a conventional water heater is not producing as much hot water as you expect, it’s time to have it checked. Oftentimes, small leaks can go undetected for a long period of time, so a visual check once a month is prudent. The worst situation is when there is a flood of water that pours out of the water heater. This can cause a lot of damage, especially if you are not at home when it happens.
REPLACE OR REPAIR?
If your water heater is more than 10 years old, leaks around the base of the tank, works erratically or not very well, it probably needs to be replaced. In any case, make sure that an electrical
problem, such as a blown fuse or tripped breaker, is not the reason for the unit failing. If you choose to replace your water heater, have a professional contractor do the job. Either way, a professional contractor can provide a variety of options that will help you make your decision, based on your needs. They will know how to get the job done quickly while meeting required building safety codes.
▷ Installing a water heater, espe-
cially when it requires changing the power source, is not a DIY project. A professional with the right set of skills and tools is needed. Here’s some food for thought.
▷ A building permit is often re-
quired when replacing a water heater. This is for the safety of the occupants and the future homeowners. If you are buying a home and they have indicated that the water heater has been replaced, you should verify that it was done under a permit or it may not have been installed correctly.
▷ Conventional water heaters are heavy and very bulky, so consider this when planning a replacement.
▷ How do you dispose of an old water heater? Local codes govern
the disposal of such appliances. Know what those are before you proceed, or you might have a new piece of yard art for a while.
CONVENTIONAL VS. TANKLESS WATER HEATERS
Conventional home water heaters are commonly about 40 or 50 gallons, but conventional units can range in size from 2.5 gallons to 70 or more gallons for a home, depending on dimensions of the area where it will be placed. Keep in mind that these units heat the entire tank of water to a consistent temperature, so they run continually. Tankless or on-demand water heaters do not store hot water, so energy to heat the water is not used until there is a demand for hot water. Instead, the water passes through the unit, over a series of coils that quickly heat the water to be delivered. A tankless unit is usually more energy-efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater. And whole-house tankless systems are powerful enough to provide hot water for your entire home. Compact units are also available and designed to work in a specific segment of the home, nearest the area of use.
Most water heaters are gas or electric, but choices are no longer so limited. Compare the options to determine the water heater best suited for you: ▪ Electric – Uses 1 or 2 heating elements to heat water Electric water heaters can be used “almost” anywhere. ▪ Natural Gas or Propane – Uses a burner to heat water; needs circulating air; combustibles cannot be stored nearby and must be vented. Gas water heaters are usually installed in a home that has existing gas for another appliance, like a furnace, stove or fireplace. ▪ Solar – Uses heat from the sun to heat water; most require back-up systems for cloudy days; tax incentives may be available. ▪ Heat Pump – Uses energy from outside or inside air; larger than standard water heaters. It is practical to consider an upgrade when purchasing a new water heater. For example: if space allows, you may choose to increase the unit’s holding capacity to accommodate a growing family, or consider an ondemand tankless water heater to save on space and energy. Replacement time is the perfect time to lower your energy bill by choosing a water heater that is more energy efficient.
When looking at water heaters, consider these points: ▪ Recovery Rate – Conventional water heaters are rated for the number of gallons that can be heated per hour. The greater your demand for hot water, the higher the recovery rate needed. ▪ Location Dimensions – The height and width of the space must be considered. The physical space may limit your ability to upgrade a unit. ▪ Energy Efficiency – ENERGY STAR® is the trusted, government-backed label that posts the energy efficiency of a unit. It provides consumers with an estimated annual cost of operations.
ow! ActTaN x Credit
30% coming will bend soon! to an e
e h t s s e n Har Simply put, there is no place on the planet more frindly to solar energy than Southern California. And in return, the Sun says thank you by shining brightly nearly every day.
In SoCal, there are more utility-level solar plants than anywhere in the country. There are more home photovoltaic (PV) solar power installations in California than anywhere in the country. The U.S. is fifth in the world for solar energy and Southern California is leading the way. At We Care, we know how important energy savings and conservation is to home and business owners, so if you haven’t installed solar yet, read on and then give us a call. We Care’s Solar division is made up of a team of extremely knowledgeable, highly skilled, and very dependable professionals. Harnessing the Sun’s Energy
Solar is Latin for Sun. The Sun, shining for billions of years, provides one of the best sources of energy for our planet; sunlight is free and the harnessing of it creates little to no adverse environmental impact. Solar can be used to provide electricity and heat water. The benefits of solar include reduced energy costs and since it is a green, renewable energy, it reduces your carbon footprint.
Other benefits include the federal solar tax credit, also known as the investment tax credit (ITC) which allows homeowners and business owners to deduct 30 percent of the cost of installing a solar energy system from federal taxes. And, installing solar panels on your home will increase its value.
Photovoltaic energy converts sunlight into electricity through photovoltaic (PVs) cells we commonly call solar panels which are made of layers of semi-conducting material like silicon. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, photons from the sunlight are absorbed by the cells in the panel, which creates an electric field across the layers and causes electricity to flow, is the way the U.S. Dept. of Energy explains the process. PV solar systems, which are at once durable and can last a lifetime, have virtually no environmental impact; it produces clean, reliable electricity, does not need system cooling and doesn’t generate any by-products, unlike other energy sources, fossil fuels in particular which are burned to produce energy.
Here’s a straightforward and basic description of how PV solar panels are installed by Energy.gov: First, individual photovoltaic cells are connected to panels placed on a rooftop and those panels convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Next, an inverter converts that direct current into alternating current (AC) to power your home. Meanwhile, the utility company meter is recording the “net amount of energy generated” by your solar system. What’s cool is that when you create more electricity than you use, the meter will spin backward and the surplus electricity is sent to the electric grid, which helps to offset what your electricity would cost at night or on those rare SoCal days when the sun doesn’t shine.
26 CARING TIMES I WECARETEAM.COM
PV Installation 101
e Sun... Get Solar!
We Care’s electricians and solar panel installers offer various photovoltaic (PV) solar power services in Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, North San Diego County and parts of Los Angeles County and their surrounding areas. We Care sells American made solar panels, as well as a variety of solar power systems. Customers who have learned to trust We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air, and Solar will find the same commitment to quality from within the solar power department. We Care’s solar team is skilled, honest, and dependable.
Solar for Your Home
A homeowner who today pays on average $198 per month for electricity, can expect to spend over $87,000 these next 20 Years for power, or $43,000+ over the next 10 Years!* How much less would you like to spend?
A PV solar power system pays for itself from day one. The installation of solar panels allows you to reduce your annual investment on energy by up to 80%! Energy rates increase by about 6% each year, and with the 30% solar power credit winding down, now may be the best time to invest in solar power. Southern California is the best area in America to have solar power panels installed.
Learn more about solar for your home by calling We Care Plumbing, Heating, Air and Solar at
888-800-4619 or visit our website at WeCareTeam.com 888-800-4619 I CARING TIMES 27
PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST UNEXPECTED REPAIR BILLS WITH SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR YOUR FURNACE/AC Regular maintenance keeps your system running efficiently, saving on utility bills. Potential problems can be prevented or corrected early. Also proper servicing extends the life of your heating and air conditioning system. Plus regular maintenance keeps your manufacturer’s warranty in force. Other benefits include fewer repairs and improved capacity. Service agreements are transferable.
Average Life of a Dirty/Neglected A/C System - 7 to 9 Years Average Life of a Well-Maintained A/C System - 12 to 16 Years
W
hether you’re installing a new heating and air conditioning system or you’re having an old system repaired, chances are there is a maintenance agreement that would benefit you. These agreements are designed to save consumers money on routine maintenance, while also protecting them from any potential problems. Maintenance agreements are held between you and an air conditioning service provider, wherein you prepay for maintenance at a discounted rate and receive other additional benefits. They cover routine cleanings and check-ups, and they may help subsidize the cost of massive emergency repairs or offer other savings. Think of them as a peace of mind policy for your system. One overlooked advantage of a maintenance agreement is that it assures your air conditioning system will get the annual service inspection it needs. These annual tune ups are important, since they allow a professional to spot any potential problems with your system early, before they spiral into something more expensive. Further, an annual maintenance appointment will help to keep your system clean and running
efficiently, which will save you money on energy bills. Many people overlook their air conditioner, ignoring its needs until there’s a serious problem. As the largest appliance in your home, your heating and air conditioning system needs to be regularly serviced in order to prevent catastrophic issues. If something major goes wrong with your system because you have been neglecting to maintain it, a repair may end up costing you thousands of dollars. Just remember that some warranties may require regular maintenance. That’s one of the reasons why maintenance agreements exist – to help mitigate the cost associated with regular air conditioning service calls. Keep in mind that a maintenance agreement is far cheaper than a major system problem caused by a lack of upkeep; having your system routinely serviced could save you big down the line. Some service agreements extend to the plumbing and electrical wiring in your home, in addition to your HVAC system. It’s best to check into all the details of any service agreement, and see if any bundle is available that’ll help you save even more of your hard-earned money.
UTILITY COMPANY FACTS ▪▪A DIRTY AIR FILTER
ALONE will cost the average homeowner an extra $168.00 a year or more on their electric bill.
▪▪A DIRTY AIR
CONDITIONING SYSTEM can cost the average homeowner an extra $240.00 a year or more on their electric bill.
▪▪DIRTY INDOOR
EVAPORATOR COILS AND DRAIN PANS can hold bacteria which can cause allergies, headaches and other health related issues.
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WE CARE CLUB FEATURES AND ADVANTAGES
Understanding Warranties W hen you purchased your new air conditioning system it came with a manufacturer’s warranty, and you should have received a copy. That paperwork contains the manufacturer’s terms and conditions for your warranty. If you cannot find your paperwork, please do not hesitate to call our customer service department, and we will be happy to assist you.
Manufacturers are beginning to enforce, with greater regularity, the terms and conditions within your paperwork. These changes may affect you. Most manufacturers allow you to transfer warranties to the new owner upon the sale of your property for a small fee, and within 30 days of closing. Manufacturers are now requiring the use of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts. At the moment, there are thousands of possible OEM parts for any of the multiple manufacturers, which makes using and obtaining parts a difficult situation. The effect is that we will no longer be able to use generic truck stock parts. Although these changes are difficult, we make it our priority to bring you comfort as quickly as possible. Manufacturers only cover work performed during normal business hours. We Care never charges for overtime or holiday hours. Manufacturers now require yearly maintenance by an authorized dealer/servicer in order to keep a warranty in good standing. If you are not currently having maintenance done on your equipment at least once a year, contact a We Care consultant as soon as possible.
We want to thank you for choosing
If you have any questions related to your warranty, do not hesitate to call us at 888-800-4619 or visit WeCareTeam.com.
s “Mention this ad for Special Pricing. Call Becky Young at 951-903-3311�. paradiseautos.com and 27360 Ynez Road, Temecula, CA 92591
Mention this ad for Special Pricing.
Call Becky Young at 951-903-3311 27360 Ynez Road, Temecula, CA 92591 ParadiseAutos.com
Innovation you can feel We Care, along with Lennox, provider of industry-leading climate control products, are in the business of making people feel comfortable in their homes—a business that requires constant innovation to make sure the degree of comfort you feel in your home is set perfectly. Why constantly dedicate ourselves to never-ending improvement?
We Care To Go the Extra Mile!